Scratch Southern California safety Taylor Mays off your draft wish list, Saints fans. The junior All-American told the Los Angeles Times on Tuesday that he plans to return to college for his senior season.

Mays' announcement is somewhat of a surprise. He was projected as a first-round pick who potentially could be drafted in the top 10 overall selections. He likely would have been the No. 1 rated safety in the entire player pool.

The Associated PressUSC safety Taylor Mays has decided to stay in school and not come out for the NFL draft.

Safety is expected to be a top offseason priority for the Saints in the wake of their disappointing 8-8 season.

The draft's top-rated senior free safeties, according to most draft analysts, are William Moore of Missouri, Rashad Johnson of Alabama, Derek Pegues of Mississippi State, Louis Delmas of Western Michigan, Sherrod Martin of Troy. The top strong safety prospects are Patrick Chung of Oregon, Michael Hamlin of Clemson, Nic Harris of Oklahoma, Chip Vaughn of Wake Forest and Emanuel Cook of South Carolina.

Of course, the rankings could fluctuate as the draft process heats up in the coming months, starting with the Senior Bowl next week in Mobile, Ala.